How Phish’s Russell Wilson Seahawks chant came to be

It was last April that Trey Anastasio, lead singer and guitarist for the jam band Phish, suggested that the Seahawks use his band’s song “Wilson” as a chant at CenturyLink Field.

Russell Wilson. (AP Photo)

Now, after eight home games in the 2013 regular season, it seems the idea has caught on.

The chant begins when Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson takes the field for the first time. As has been happening at Phish concerts for decades, the audience responds to a quick guitar riff by singing “Wiiiiiiil-sooooon” — in a way somewhat reminiscent of the old Edgar Martinez chant at ’90s-00s Mariners games.

On Tuesday, the NFL Network aired a long feature by NFL Films on the development and popularity of the Russell Wilson chant suggested by Phish. You can watch the entire thing below. And, if the video is pulled from YouTube, here’s a link to the video on NFL.com.